Rules and conditions

1. Backyard Format Overview

The course consists of a 6.706 km loop.

The start is at 9:00 a.m. for all races, then every hour. Each participant must complete the loop in less than one hour in order to start the next one. If a participant finishes before the end of the hour, the remaining time may be used to rest, eat, sleep, or prepare for the next start.

The winner is the last person to complete a loop alone within the one-hour time limit.

2. Race Registration

All registrations must be completed through the official Big Wolf’s Backyard Ultra website.

Payment must be made through our platform, and all requested information must be valid in order to confirm participation. 

Subject to Sections 3 and 16, all registrations are final, personal, and non-transferable.

3. Cancellation and Refund Policy

All cancellation and refund requests must be submitted exclusively by email to info@bigwolfsbackyard.com.

3.1 More than 30 days before the event: the participant may request a refund equal to 50% of the amount paid, less the applicable Square platform fees. The refund will be issued exclusively through Square.

3.2 30 days or less before the event: no refund will be issued.

3.3 Transfers between races: registration transfers between the different races of the Big Wolf circuit are not permitted, as each event is independent.

3.4 Canadian Backyard Ultra Masters | CBUM: due to the specific nature of this invitation-only event, no deferral or transfer of registration is permitted. Registration is final, personal, and non-refundable.

4. Timing, DNF and Winner

4.1 The timing chip must be worn for every loop.Removing it may result in disqualification.

4.2 Results of 24 hours or more will be available on Laz’s website in the days following the event.

4.3 Any participant who does not complete a loop in less than one hour or does not start the next loop receives a DNF.

4.4 The last person to complete a full loop alone within the allotted time is the sole winner. If no one manages to complete the final loop alone, there is no winner.

5. Start

5.1 The start of all Big Wolf’s Backyard races is set for 9:00 a.m. Each loop begins precisely at the top of the following hour. A whistle countdown is given before each start: 3 minutes, 2 minutes, and 1 minute. The official start is then signaled by the bell.

5.2 All participants must be in the starting corral when the loop begins. Any participant who is absent from this area at the time of the start is disqualified.

6. Course

Participants must remain on the official course at all times, which will remain the same for
the entire duration of the race. A daytime loop and a nighttime loop may be used.

Slower participants must allow faster participants to pass.

Immediate disqualification may be applied in the following situations:

• • presence of a Crew member on the course;
  • assistance or support from a Crew member or any other person outside the authorized area after a loop has started;
  • failure to follow the official course;
  • failure to pass through a mandatory checkpoint, including the halfway checkpoint;
  • removal of the timing chip. 

7. Assistance and Crew

7.1 Crew assistance is permitted only in the designated area between loops.

The Crew may provide any desired assistance to the participant within this area, but may under no circumstances enter the course.

Only one Crew member is permitted per participant during the first 24 hours. Beginning with the 25th hour, a second Crew member may be added if the participant is still in the race. The organization will then register this second Crew member on site.

No Crew replacement or change is permitted, except for the addition of the second Crew member after 24 hours. Failure to comply with this rule may result in
may result in disqualification.

Beginning with the 25th hour, both Crew members may be present at the same time.

7.2 A participant who withdraws from the race, as well as their Crew, may remain on site and assist participants who are still racing. However, they must not interfere with other participants, Crews, or the operation of the event.

7.3 The Crew is permitted to sleep on site during the event, within its designated space, and must be self-sufficient.

7.4 The Crew is responsible for its equipment, tent, shelter, and any other furniture installed in its space. The area must be kept clean.

7.5 After a DNF, the participant and Crew may dismantle their tent, shelter, and furniture between starts without interfering with participants who are still racing. The site must be left clean and in its original condition.

8. Bib and On-Site Check-In

8.1 Bib and participant kit pickup must be completed on the Friday preceding the race, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., unless otherwise indicated in the event-specific Runner’s Guide.

8.2 Participant and Crew wristbands must be worn at all times to access restricted areas of the site.

9. Equipment

9.1 Mandatory Equipment at Friday Check-In

• • Photo ID and proof of registration;
  • for Cacouna only: a minimum of 8 litres of water is required at check-in and at the start of the race;
  • food and hydration drinks according to your needs, in addition to water;
    waterproof jacket (rain and wind);
  • blanket or emergency blanket;
  • headlamp of at least 150 lumens, with spare batteries or a backup power source, for nighttime loops;
  • if applicable only: a list of your medications and medical conditions;
  • for Big Wolf Outaouais, Gaia or another location-tracking application with the course loaded onto a cell phone or watch.

 9.2 Recommended Equipment

• • UV protection;
  • insect repellent;
  • rest chair;
  • 10×10 shelter or tent, depending on the event (see the Runner’s Guide for each event).

10. Image Rights

The participant expressly authorizes the organizers, their partners, and authorized media to use photographs, videos, or other audiovisual content in which the participant may appear, including for promotional or advertising purposes related to the events.

11. Liability Waiver

The organizers disclaim all liability in the event of physical or psychological failure or injury occurring during the event, as well as in the event of theft, loss, or damage to the personal property of participants or their Crew members.

Authorized medical personnel will be on duty at all times. Every participant must report to the medical staff any abnormal physical condition, injury, or significant change in their health status.

12. Emergency and Medical Assistance

12.1 Participants are required to assist and support one another. In the event of a problem, they must immediately alert the organization or have someone alert it, and must never leave an injured person or a person in distress alone. Failure to comply with these basic safety and conduct rules may result in sanctions by the organization.

12.2 When a participant receives major assistance or support that is incompatible with the race rules, the participant is eliminated and receives a DNF.

13. Site, Safety and Environmental Respect

13.1 Sleeping on the event sites on the Friday night preceding the race is prohibited, except in Outaouais (contact RD Richard Turgeon directly at richardrd@bigwolfsbackyardultra.ca).

13.2 No animals are permitted on the event sites at any time.

13.3 Generators of any kind are prohibited.

13.4 Burners and cooking appliances: they must be used only in areas designated by the organization and never under tents or shelters. Their use must comply with applicable fire-prevention rules.

13.5 Heating systems: any heating system used during the night must comply with the preceding rules as well as the manufacturer’s instructions and safety standards.

13.6 Anyone caught discarding packaging, paper, or
other waste on the site or course before, during, or after the race may be immediately sanctioned by the organization.

13.7 Participants and Crew members must leave their space and the site in their original condition.

13.8 Toilets: participants and Crew members must use only the toilets provided by the organization in the designated locations. Relieving oneself elsewhere on the site or on the course is prohibited.

14. Respect for Participants, Organizers and Volunteers

Any person who behaves disrespectfully toward a participant, Crew member, volunteer, or member of the organization, whether publicly or during the event, may be sanctioned by the organization.

When circumstances warrant, the organization reserves the right to pursue any appropriate remedy.

15. Force Majeure and Cancellation

In the event of force majeure, natural disaster, fire, dangerous weather conditions, or any other circumstance likely to compromise the safety of participants, volunteers, or the organization, Big Wolf’s Backyard Ultra reserves the right to modify, interrupt, or cancel the event.

In the event of cancellation due to force majeure, no refund may be required, subject to applicable laws.

16. Acceptance of the Rules

Registration for any Big Wolf’s Backyard event constitutes acknowledgement and acceptance of these rules.

The organization reserves the right to modify all or part of these rules when necessary, including for safety or organizational reasons or to comply with the requirements of the competent authorities.

THANK YOU AND HAVE A GREAT BIG WOLF!